When someone buys or leases a new car, there is an expectation that it should be relatively problem-free for many years. Accordingly, the Lemon Law protects consumers in instances where the new car they received fails to live up to those expectations.

Specifically, the Lemon Law covers consumers when their new car has a defect—within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles (Pennsylvania) or 24 months or 24,000 miles (New Jersey)—that hasn’t been repaired after three attempts. In order to qualify as a “lemon”, the defect must be substantial and must decrease the vehicle’s resale value, make the vehicle unsafe, or impact the vehicle’s normal functions.

In Pennsylvania, if the defect has not been repaired after three attempts, or the vehicle has been out of service for 30 days or more, (or 20 days in New Jersey), you may have a Lemon Law claim. New Jersey has more complicated procedural rules for Lemon Law claims including giving the manufacturer one last chance to fix the defect after the vehicle has had two failed repair attempts or has been 20 days out of service. A skilled Lemon Law attorney can review the particulars with you for free.

But sometimes what appears to be an isolated lemon might really be an auto defect impacting the entire fleet of vehicles, like the issues that arose with the Honda Earth Dreams engine.

What is an Earth Dreams Engine?

The Honda Earth Dreams engine promised an eco-friendly performance and an enjoyable driving experience. The Earth Dreams engine technology features improved fuel economy via cylinder deactivation, where the engine operates on three cylinders when others are not needed.

However, a recent lawsuit alleges defects in the Earth Dreams Honda engine, specifically in the 2015-2018 Honda CR-Vs and 2016-2018 Honda Civics models. Owners and lessees have reported the vehicles going into limp power mode due to unusually high engine oil levels, indicating fuel leakage into the oil compartment.

Multiple cases of oil and filter replacement have yet to resolve the problem found in the Honda Earth Dreams engine.
One plaintiff in particular claims Honda is aware of these defects leading to premature motor wear and vehicle stalling, yet has failed to provide an effective solution.

Despite vehicles being under powertrain warranties, Honda hasn’t issued a recall or offered compensation, sometimes attributing the problem to insufficient driving distances.

These Honda Earth Dreams engine problems significantly reduce the value and safety of the affected vehicles and increase concerns about the Honda Earth Dreams engine design.

Honda defects attorneys are aware of a class action lawsuit involving 2015-2018 Honda CR-Vs and 2016-2018 Honda Civics that have 1.5-liter, 2-liter and 2.4-liter direct injection engines.

According to the suit, plaintiffs allege the Earth Dreams engines are defective because they leak fuel into the oil compartment causing oil levels to rise and vehicles to enter a limp mode unexpectedly—placing drivers in potentially hazardous situations as a result. In addition, they claim that the automaker has not only known of and concealed the existence of the defects from owners, but has not issued an auto recall, has no plan to repair the problem, and has offered no reimbursement.

Further, the owners allege they would not have bought the vehicles had they known of the defect, or would have paid less for them, and that their vehicles are worth less as a result of the defect “damaging the bearings and engines permanently” and the “decreased oil viscosity and premature wear” causing the cars to enter limp mode while driving.

If you believe you are driving a “lemon”, or feel you have been the victim of dealer fraud, the Law Offices of Timothy Abeel & Associates can help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Timothy Abeel & Associates is a national law firm that handles lemon law claims across the country. Reviews can be seen on AVVO, Google, Glen Mills Yelp, Roseland Yelp, & Pittsburgh Yelp.